Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Krunal Pandya was full of praise for Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal after their match-winning partnership helped RCB chase down a challenging target of 200 against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The duo added 98 runs for the second wicket, setting the foundation for RCB's five-wicket victory at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal's Heroics
Chasing 200, RCB lost captain Faf du Plessis early, but Kohli and Padikkal took control of the innings. Kohli smashed 70 off 44 balls, including 8 fours and 2 sixes, while Padikkal scored 62 off 38 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes. Their partnership brought RCB back into the game after a shaky start.
"The way Virat and Dev batted, it was unbelievable. They took the attack to the bowlers and made a difficult chase look easy. The way they rotated strike and found boundaries was exceptional," Krunal said after the match.
Krunal Pandya's All-Round Contribution
Krunal also played a crucial role with the ball, picking up two wickets for 34 runs in his four overs. He dismissed Shubman Gill and David Miller to put brakes on GT's innings. "I was just trying to keep it simple and bowl to my strengths. The wicket was good for batting, so I had to be accurate," he added.
RCB's Strong Finish
After Kohli and Padikkal's dismissal, RCB needed 42 runs off the last four overs. Krunal Pandya (24 not out off 16 balls) and Dinesh Karthik (20 not out off 12 balls) finished the game with an over to spare. Krunal hit a six off the final ball of the 19th over to seal the win.
Impact on IPL 2025 Points Table
The victory lifted RCB to third place in the points table, while GT slipped to fifth. RCB have now won three of their first four matches, while GT have two wins from four games.
Krunal credited the team's positive mindset for the successful chase. "We always believed we could chase any target. The batting unit has been in good form, and we are backing each other. This win will give us a lot of confidence going forward."
RCB will next face Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, while GT will take on Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
